Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue (Photo: VNA) 
Under the Party Central Committee’s resolution, Hau Giang is expected to be merged with Can Tho city and Soc Trang province to form a centrally-run city named Can Tho, with greater space for development, said NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man.
Receiving Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki on April 18, PM Chinh stressed the need to deepen cooperative ties in different fields, including politics, diplomacy, economic development, science and technology, digital transformation, food security, and high-quality workforce training.
Viet expressed concerns over the US's imposition of high reciprocal tariffs on Vietnamese goods.
An event held by the Communist Party of Argentina has stressed the significance of the Vietnamese people's struggle in defeating colonialism and imperialism in 1975 and reunifying the country.
Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh stated the Vietnamese Government always appreciates the World Bank’s long-standing support for the country’s socio-economic development and global integration, particularly in areas such as poverty alleviation, gender equality, and development in remote and disadvantaged regions.
General Secretary Lam affirmed that the US remains one of Vietnam’s most important strategic partners.
The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has underscored the need to concretise and institutionalise the Party’s guidelines, accelerate decentralisation and delegation of power in law-making, supported by robust oversight mechanisms and adequate resource allocation.
As Vietnam is a developing country with a transitioning economy, and is still dealing with the severe consequences of war, it hopes to continue receiving support and cooperation from the US, and strengthening and deepening the Vietrnam-US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including maintaining and promoting stable, sustainable economic and trade relations based on equality and mutual benefit, while enhancing cooperation with US investors in the country.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Brunei Tran Anh Vu praised the growing Vietnam–Brunei Comprehensive Partnership, noting that two-way trade surpassed 650 million USD in 2024, more than double the figure in 2023.
The UNODC has affirmed that it will closely cooperate with Vietnam to successfully organise the signing ceremony for the UN Anti-cybercrime Convention (also known as the Hanoi Convention) and to encourage countries to ratify it.
☀️ Morning digest on April 18
Ignacio Mendoza Pizarro, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Bolivia described Vietnam’s development achievements as a continuation of the nation’s enduring qualities: resilience, firmness, dynamism, and self-reliance. He noted that Vietnam’s experience in economic reform and foreign investment attraction are of strong interest to Bolivia’s ruling alliance and to revolutionary movements around the world.
Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali and his spouse Zinash Tayachew left Hanoi on April 17 afternoon, wrapping their official visit to Vietnam and attendance at the 4th Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in Hanoi from April 14-17.
Party leader To Lam highlighted France’s role as the first EU nation to establish a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, a testament to its commitment to strengthening bilateral friendship and cooperation.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asserted that with the experience of successfully hosting many international conferences, Vietnam will closely coordinate with UNCTAD to organise its 16th session in accordance with international practices and Vietnamese law.
Son showed his appreciation to the Colombian government's support for Vietnam in organising the P4G Summit, thus contributing to global efforts to realise achieve green and sustainable growth goals.
National unity and pride, sound leadership, and patriotism will continue to propel Vietnam forward into a new era - the era of national rise, said former Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam and Vice President of the Cuba–Vietnam Friendship Association Fredesmán Turró González.
During the tour, UN experts provided an overview of the UN’s formation and development, as well as key milestones in Vietnam–UN relations, including events that took place before Vietnam’s official admission to the organisation in 1977.
According to a government report, a notable improvement in the revised draft is the elimination of seven out of 24 administrative procedures, about 30%, reducing compliance costs and time to streamline business operations.
